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Missing N.Y. Man’s Body Recovered In Bay

OCEAN CITY — A missing person search in the resort over the last two weeks took a tragic turn Tuesday evening when the remains of the upstate New York man were recovered from the bay near 32nd Street.

Around 6:20 p.m. on Tuesday, Ocean City police responded to the area of 32nd Street for a report of a possible deceased body in the bay. The remains, which were recovered by the U.S Coast Guard, were later confirmed to be Lance Corey Gaines, 22, of Groton, N.Y., who was reported missing back on April 21.

Gaines, who was visiting Ocean City with his family from upstate New York, was last seen on April 21 around 1 a.m. at the Sandbar on 33rd Street. According to reports, family members said Gaines went out for a walk and later went out to the bar. Shortly after midnight, or about an hour before he was last seen, he reportedly sent a text message to his girlfriend, the contents of which have not been made public. Gaines reportedly sent what appeared to be a video message around 1 a.m., but again, the contents of that message are not known.

Gaines’ family reported his missing and a search was conducted in the area to no avail. For much of the last two weeks, family members and friends canvassed the resort area and distributed flyers seeking the public’s help in locating the missing man. On Tuesday, Gaines’ remains were recovered in the bay not far from where he was last seen.

Gaines’ remains were sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy. The cause and manner of death are currently under investigation by the Ocean City Police Department.